March 09, 2014

Rashard Mendenhall Retiring from NFL: Rashard Mendenhall, a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals who is a free agent, has announced his retirement from the NFL at age 26. A column Mendenhall wrote for Huffington Post two weeks ago might have been a clue he was done: "[T]oday is the day that the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead."

Mendenhall writes about why he retired. One of the most depressing parts, with one word censored: "I can't even count how many times I've been called a 'dumb n-----'. There is a bold coarseness you receive from non-supporters that seems to only exist on the Internet. However, even if you try to avoid these things completely -- because I've tried -- somehow they still reach you."

Mendenhall reminds me of Robert Smith, another smart player who left the game early. Anyone who wants to achieve something with his brain has to be a leery of what might happen to it from being bashed in 16 weeks a year (more if you're not a Cowboy).

Not for nothing but Mendenhall was going to receive the veteran's minimum this year (700K) if he decided to play. Makes me wonder if he would've gotten a bigger contract would he still feel the same?

I think Mendenhall would have received more than that. There are always teams that can use running back depth and he has a proven track record. He may have fallen off since his knee injury but I think a number of teams would have shown some interest.